Turtles 5
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Turtles 5 is a demanding reef break at the Cape Disappointment area near Jetty A, where reef/water conditions and the nearby Columbia River mouth can make the session physically serious. Surf is described as powerful and fast, with hollow characteristics and a demanding feel. The break is most reliably surfable in October, when northeast winds and matching swell conditions help produce the wave shape that experienced surfers look for. Conditions around the jetty/river mouth are a major factor for safety. Strong currents and heavy rips are reported as common, and the rocky reef environment plus debris exposure can quickly turn a manageable lineup into a high-risk situation—especially on larger swells. Thermal protection is critical. Water temperatures are cold year-round, and thick winter wetsuit protection is recommended, including a hood plus gloves and boots to reduce hypothermia risk during long or wipeout-heavy sessions.
- Hollow, fast, and powerful reef waves
- Most reliable in October
- Serious current/rip and debris considerations near the river mouth
- Best reliability in October with favorable northeast winds and consistent reef swell.
- Known for powerful, hollow, fast waves suited to advanced surfers.
- Difficult reef break with rocky/jetty hazards and strong currents near the river mouth.
- Cold water year-round increases hypothermia risk without proper thermal protection.
- No lifeguards reported and rescue availability is indicated as not available for the spot.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider descriptions indicate a frontal wind type for the spot.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Wind gusts are described as moderate.
- Best Months
- October
- Shadow Zones
- The jetty can provide some protection from certain wind angles but creates turbulence.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Mixed — Reef break context; spot descriptions reference reef/rocks.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Also described as ranging from about 1.5 m to 4 m depending on swell.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline entry near the jetty structure.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky shoreline entry with jetty/river-mouth current considerations.
Through the year
Winter months see heavy rain and frequent Pacific storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Turtles 5 is a challenging reef break known for hollow, fast, and powerful waves (often described as peeling and demanding).
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Overall described as exposed, but jetty/adjacent features can provide some partial protection while also creating turbulence.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore northeast winds groom the waves; westerlies can cause heavy chop. Wind can be complex/off-axis at times due to reef/jetty effects.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become extremely dangerous and heavy on large swells with massive currents.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Also described as producing fast, punchy waves when conditions align.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer a fast and punchy ride when the swell aligns with the jetty.
- Ride Length Details
- Can be fast and punchy when the swell aligns with the jetty.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Turtles 5 in the full forecast view.
Turtles 5 wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–16 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- S182°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2516 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.6 m9s period
- Temperature
- 6–13 °C
Over the next 7 days, Turtles 5 is forecast for daytime winds of 3–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.9–2.6 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Sharp rocks
- Large sharks
- Heavy rip currents
- Rocks
- Proximity to jetty
- Hypothermia risk
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level data indicates no rescue availability for this launch.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Ilwaco or Astoria. Emergency calls: 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Well-regarded by experienced surfers but the spot’s physical demands and technical difficulty help keep crowds down.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the sensitive nature of the jetty/reef context at the break.
- Discovery Pass required for parking in the state park area
- Always check the tide as the current can become unmanageable quickly near the river mouth.
- Watch for debris and logs often flushed out from the Columbia River.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Astoria
- Nearest Town
- Ilwaco
- Parking
- State park parking available with a valid Discovery Pass.
- Access
- Accessible via Cape Disappointment State Park; involves a hike or walk from designated parking areas near Jetty A.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and cabins are available within Cape Disappointment State Park.
- Food & Drink
- Limited options within the park; more restaurants and stores available in Ilwaco.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf and SUP rentals are available at local shops in the Long Beach area (regionally).
- Gear Storage
- Limited; mostly provided by specific accommodation or long-term rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Basic wetsuit and board repair services are available in the region.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A massive park offering hiking, lighthouses, and dramatic coastal views.
An 8.5-mile paved trail for biking and hiking along the dunes.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Turtles 5?
The best overall months at Turtles 5 are October.
Which wind directions work at Turtles 5?
Turtles 5 works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Turtles 5 suitable for?
Turtles 5 suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.